A trip to Kaiteriteri in the Abel Tasman National Park in the South Island of New Zealand is an adventure hotspot that you should not miss! With its golden sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and countless outdoor activities, it’s an ideal nature getaway and makes a great stop on a longer New Zealand road trip.
This 2–3 day itinerary is perfect for travelers driving from Wellington: take the scenic ferry to Picton, pick up a rental car, enjoy a vineyard stop in Marlborough if you wish, and continue to Kaiteriteri – the spot for beach and water activities in Abel Tasman.
Along the way, I’ll share the best things to do in Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri, including hikes, kayaking trips, cruises, and hidden photo spots that you won’t want to miss. I’ll also highlight top accommodation and where to eat so your trip flows effortlessly.
(Updated December 2025)
Day 1: Travel Day + Scenic Stops to Abel Tasman
How to get to Abel Tasman
By car 2 hours 45 min – 180 km
There are two ferries in Wellington, Bluebridge and Interislander, which both have regular schedules to the South Island. The ride takes about 3 – 4 hours and brings you right into the sleepy little town of Picton.
The cruise through the Marlborough Sounds is a highlight alone! You pass an old whaling station, and if not too cold or windy, sitting on top is just a great way to soak in the scenery.
The trip starts upon arrival in Picton. Make sure to rent your adventure rental car to make your way to Blenheim and Abel Tasman.
Marlborough Wine Tasting
Before driving towards Abel Tasman, we spent a day in Blenheim and Marlborough to sample some of the area’s best wines! Nothing better than doing some vineyard hopping.
Marlborough is New Zealand’s most famous wine region, best known for its crisp Sauvignon Blancs. Even a half-day stop lets you stretch your legs, enjoy vineyard views, and taste world-class wines without detouring far from your Abel Tasman route.
If you’re a wine lover keen to savor some unique New Zealand wine, make sure to book a half-day Marlborough Wine Discovery Tour!
In my blog post about New Zealand’s best wine regions, I go into depth about this fantastic wine region and briefly mention how you get to the South Island.
Coffee Stop in Nelson
From Blenheim, it’s roughly a 1-hour 30 drive to Nelson. You will pass through the cute little town of Havelock, which is famous for the greenlip mussels. Once in Nelson, you should so check out Pic’s Peanut Butter World! It’s free to visit, but you need to register beforehand. I would have loved to go, but we didn’t know about it before…
However, Nelson makes a great stop for breakfast and coffee. One of their best coffee shops is ZUMO Coffee House. They got a huge variety of single-origin beans, a good selection of cabinet food and a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Lunch in Mapua
On the part from Nelson to Abel Tasman, we headed towards the seaside town of Mapua. The pictures looked promising and it didn’t disappoint. I wanted to try the green lip mussels, so we made a booking at the Apple Shed Kitchen & Bar. They got a lovely outside terrace with a view of the ocean. This place came highly recommended to complement our Abel Tasman itinerary and we’re so glad we went!
Kaiteriteri
By late afternoon, you roll into Kaiteriteri, and everything slows down. The road ends at a wide, golden beach, boats drifting just offshore, the national park starts almost immediately. If you’re arriving after a long travel day, this is also the moment to check in, drop your bags, and let the pace reset before your first full day in the park.
Where to Stay in Kaiteriteri, Abel Tasman
Kaiteriteri is the most convenient place to stay in Abel Tasman because the park quite literally starts at the beach, with activities starting and departing directly from town. Think less driving, fewer logistics, and more time actually out on the water!
The stunning Kimi Ora Eco Resort features a wellness center with hot tubs, saunas, and massage services, as well as an on-site restaurant – ideal to unwind in Abel Tasman!
If you’re on a budget, stay at Kaiteriteri’s top-rated Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments, which is located right by the sea. They have clean facilities, a little supermarket on-site, an ice cream shop, and three eateries nearby.
Kaiteriteri gets busy in peak season. Check available hotels here early
Day 2: Full Day Kaiteriteri and Abel Tasman Adventures
The town of Kaiteriteri is a popular seaside resort town for many Kiwis in the summer. With golden beaches, waters that have that vibrant emerald colour and relaxed vibes – it’s easy to see why!
Kaiteriteri’s natural beauty, access to the Abel Tasman National Park, and range of outdoor activities make it a popular destination for relaxation, adventure, and immersion in New Zealand’s scenic wonders.
From Mapua, it is only another 45-minute drive to Kaiteriteri – the doorway to Abel Tasman.
To explore the essence of Abel Tasman in a relaxed way, I’d book this traveller-approved Sailing Adventure Cruise or a Kayak-and-Walk Combo Tour in advance, especially in summer. Here you’ll get to see Split Apple Rock, Fisherman and Adele Islands, where you might even see seals!
Split Apple Rock
Split Apple Rock is one of Abel Tasman’s most recognizable natural landmarks and it sits just off the coast near Kaiteriteri. It’s a large granite boulder that looks exactly like an apple sliced cleanly in half. The two pieces sit side by side in the water, perfectly split down the middle, which makes it feel almost too neat to be natural.
The legend has it that two Maori gods were fighting over the possession of a large boulder. They then used their godlike strength to break it in half to settle the matter.
The best way to see Split Apple Rock is from the water. Kayaking, paddleboarding, or joining a short coastal cruise lets you get close and see it from different angles. You can also walk down to the beach at low tide for a quieter visit, especially early in the morning when the light is soft and the area is still empty.
Once there, it was just magical – we were the only ones, the water was calm and the sunrise was still in full swing. I’d so recommend coming early!
Kaiteriteri Beach
The beach stretches over 1 km with soft golden sand and calm, clear waters, ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or just lounging. Kaiteriteri Beach also serves as the ideal starting point for everybody who considers going on a hike.
On the tour, you’ll get to see Split Apple Rock, Fisherman and Adele Islands, where you might even see seals! It’s the ideal combination of swimming, taking in the scenery and having a walk along the shores.
If you’re keen to explore on your own, there are lots of different operators of these Abel Tasman water taxis that drop you off at some of the beaches up north, ie. Anchor Beach and you walk back towards a pick-up point.
Once we got to the beach, we packed some beach essentials and headed to Little Kaiteriteri Beach. When it’s low tide, you can walk straight along the beach. To the right, you can walk up to one lovely lookout point. The sound of the cicadas are just mesmerizing – they were everywhere, sometimes even flying onto us! I had never actually seen one before, have you?
Kaka Point Lookout
For sunset, make sure you head up to Kaka Point Lookout. It’s basically on the other side of the bay, looking onto Kaiteriteri Beach. After a lovely walk up, you will again be surrounded by the most magnificent sound of the cicadas. It always makes me feel like I am in the Mediterranean – pure summer feels!
Also, I found this place to be the most photogenic place, especially if you are after those golden-hour sunset shots. It’s true, lighting is never better than just before sunset.
This place should be part of every itinerary when in Abel Tasman, and the #1 place I’d go and shoot! So gorgeous!
Day 3 Slow Mornings & Walk in Abel Tasman National Park
Kaiteriteri Lagoon
Kaiteriteri Lagoon completely changes its character at low tide, and that’s what makes it special! To capture the famous shot, you must time your visit with the tides. When the water pulls back, the lagoon opens up into wide sandbanks with shallow pools reflecting the sky. You can walk across areas that are normally underwater
I continued wading to the bridge and up the forest to change up the angle. The colour of the water is just something special, the contrast is unreal!
However, there is so much beauty around; just go off the beaten path and explore!
Marahau Coastal Track Loop
Marahau is another common access point to Abel Tasman, especially for longer hikes, but for a short stay focused on beaches, cruises, and kayaking, basing yourself in Kaiteriteri is far more convenient.
From Kaiteriteri, it’s only a short 20-minute drive to Marahau, the real gateway of the Abel Tasman National Park. As we were short on time, we decided to squeeze in a short 1.5-hour loop walk.
If you have a second full day or a relaxed morning before moving on, this is where Abel Tasman really shines.
From Marahau, you can start the Abel Tasman Coast Track, the one most people continue for another 50+ kilometres. The walk is easy, passing by many beaches, lagoons, and lookouts.
We ended our walk at Coquille Bay, admired the incredible rock formations and soaked in all the calm nature vibes. Definitely worth a stint!
If you want to explore the shores of Abel Tasman, reserve a spot on this traveller-approved Kayak Outdoor Adventure. Here you might see seals at Shag Harbour, explore Tonga Island and paddle to idyllic Anchorage Beach – all without missing the park’s best-kept secrets!
After a final slow morning between the lagoon and an easy walk near Marahau, Abel Tasman is best left unhurried. From here, you can either make your way back north to Picton, return the car, and sail back to Wellington, or keep heading south and turn this stop into part of a longer South Island road trip.
If you have the time, continuing on opens up some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes, and I’ve mapped out exactly how to do that in my 10-day South Island itinerary, which builds naturally from this route.
Where To Eat and Drink in Kaiteriteri
The Mermaid’s Beach House Cafe
For breakfast, you just have to go and try The Mermaid’s Beach House Cafe. They had fantastic coffee and milk options such as Macadamia or Hazelnut! Yum!? Also, their smoothie bowls were delicious and filling!
Beached Whale
For dinner, we headed next door the Beached Whale restaurant. I wouldn’t say it was outstanding, but it was decent enough. It was really busy, and to be fair, options in town are limited! For an afternoon drink with a view of the ocean, try Kai Restaurant & Bar. there is also one vegetarian place called The Views, as part of an Eco Resort.
Looking for more New Zealand Itineraries and Things to See & Do?
If you’re a wine lover, read my New Zealand Wine Regions with my full guide.
While in South Island, New Zealand, visit Milford Sound: How to Get From Queenstown to Milford Sound
Women Travel Essentials I Can’t Live Without
Travel Insurance
Having travel insurance that protects me no matter where I go has been an obligatory thing to have since day one. No matter if it was to study abroad, to go on a two-week vacation or start a full-time travel life – travel insurance is SO important. If you are looking for travel insurance to cover your next adventure, have a look at Safetywing to see if it suits you!
Travel Money Card
Are you still looking for the best option for your travels? Having a Wise travel money card that allows you to hold various currencies, has the lowest transaction fees and lets you withdraw money no matter where you are is worth GOLD. Wise has been my go-to choice for 4 years now and I wouldn’t go back to having only one credit card.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for the support! I only recommend services and tools I know and trust myself.
Did you find this post helpful or inspiring? Let me know and pin it for later!
